It occurs to me that, as haberdashery shops are closing down still, there are fewer and fewer left to go to for those last-minute things one always needs. So maybe we could compile a countrywide/UK (oops. Scotland and Wales may still have a few too) list of shops selling beads, buttons, braids, needles and so on suitable for costuming. These are mostly places that keep normal shop hours.

The ones that I currently know about:

Ramsgate, Kent
Colchester (mostly furnishing stuff)
Felixstowe, Suffolk
Kettering, Northamptonshire
Central London still has a few, around the London College of Fashion, Oxford Circus
Warlingham, Croydon
Walworth Road, just off Elephant and Castle - a small selection of sequins and braids

There was one near to Bolsover Castle - anyone know if that is still going?
There was one in central Gloucester, but that closed a few years ago.
The brilliant one in Kings Heath, Birmingham closed last year.
I heard that the Button Museum had changed hands - anyone know if it is still trading?
Camden Town, London, has closed
Tooting, south London, used to have a good selection of Indian shops selling braids and buttons, but I believe that most have now closed down
Liberties, Central London, used to have very unusual if expensive braids and buttons but I have not seen that department for some time. Has it closed down?
John Lewis, Oxford Street, London, is just about holding on, but the fabric department is now small
Anyone live or shop in Manchester who can update us on what is happening there?

I think that I have more questions than answers, but I hope this is enough to get the ball rolling. Over to you:

Last edited by frances on Thu Oct 12, 2006 7:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

John Lewis in Bluewater near Dartford, Kent. They'll get you stuff from their other stores if you are weird and want lots and they run out. And they post it to you and don't seem to charge for the postage.

City Road in Cardiff has quite a few: An embroidery/craft shop, Butterfly (silks a speciality), Terry's Fabrics, Calico and there's another 2 (sorry the names of which slip my mind). Then there's a factory outlet up at Nantgarw (just off the A470), Dominy in Newport, Nantiago in Abergavenny, pontypool market, a wool/embroidery place in Monmouth and there's the most wonderful little button shop in the arcades in Cardiff, too. Can't think of any more just now!

Fabric Warehouse at the bottom end of Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, near Uxbridge, Middx, has a lot of interesting bits and pieces. There's also a shop within spitting distance of Portobello Road, London, that sells marvellous braids, buttons and so on, but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called, except that it begins with T.

- Pontefract market (indoors).
- Wakefield market (also indoors).
- Habiknit on The Springs in Wakefield (opposite the market) has a good basic selection.
- Samuel Taylor - leeds city centre - just off vicar lane at the corn exchange end, also in the market (inside) at the top (corn exchange side).
- habby shop I don't know the name of, also at the top of leeds market, on the same side as the car park (not the multi storrey, the other one).
- leeds market, bottom end, corn exchange side.
- leeds market - outside - usually near the multi storey c-p - sells fabric mainly (silks), but also has assorted interesting habby items at the sides (his bundles of lace are a particularly good buy). Think he's there tues, fri, and sat, but can't swear to that.
- hobbicraft - leeds - crown point.

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almost forgot - duttons for buttons in york and harrogate
the viking loom - york

Leamington Spa, an Indian-type shop behind the station on the way to the town centre
Croydon, Crown Hill, a wedding dress shop that does some haberdashery
Selhurst, north of Croydon town centre just by the fame school, old-fashioned type shop with a mish-mash of things, just occasionally a real find is found (eh?)

At Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, west of London, twice a year (Spet and Feb) there is a needlecrafts show with lots of specialist haberdashery, including a few that do Victorian style scissors and pin holders and things. Also sometimes a man who sells wooden lucets and teaches at the event.

threads, needles - authentic and non authentic, embroidery silks/cottons, snips, braids, buttons, hooks and eyes - aiglets, lucetted cord for points ( I can point you to a wonderful lucetter) buckles, strap ends ( I know some of these are already available from peeps but it would be wonderful to have them all in oner place)er.........tapestry wool - linen tapes and threads studs pins( decorative /authentic /practical) buckrams in various widths for stiffening belts,collars,etc etc. other forms of fastening from frogs to clasps, cords, other trims, waddings..............................the list goes on - anyone else?

of course i'm biased... but my mum owns the Knitting and Sewing centre in Whitehaven Cumbria. still have to make the 500 mile trip now and again to get the bits simply can't find anywhere else. There's also the birmingham rag market and Sue's sewing centre in Wordsley near Stourbridge

Jackie Phillips wrote:If a haberdashery stall were available at events, what would people want to see on it?

threads, needles - authentic and non authentic, embroidery silks/cottons, snips, braids, buttons, hooks and eyes - aiglets, lucetted cord for points ( I can point you to a wonderful lucetter) buckles, strap ends ( I know some of these are already available from peeps but it would be wonderful to have them all in oner place)er.........tapestry wool - linen tapes and threads studs pins( decorative /authentic /practical) buckrams in various widths for stiffening belts,collars,etc etc. other forms of fastening from frogs to clasps, cords, other trims, waddings..............................the list goes on - anyone else?

Actually, we stock a fair amount of the list above. I know this topic is about local haberdashery shops and the desire for a haberdashery stall at events, but quite a lot of this list is taken out with us to the events we trade at as well as available from our online shop at http://www.chimera-costumes.co.uk/shop/shop.php?d=1

We're always interested to hear from anyone who would like us stock other items that aren't shown. Enough requests will see it happening, but market forces have to be brought to bear, as the set up costs can be quite high. The problem we have is getting alot of these things to shows as we can fit just so much into a transit van and display/selling space is usually limited. What should we concentrate on? You tell us! We make a sincere effort to ensure that all the items are high quality and provenanced for their use where applicable.

So we'd really appreciate anyone reading this to go take a look - any and all feedback is welcome. We need you guys to help us get it right!

Dainty Supplies in Washington, Tyne and Wear - which is huge and also has a decent website (last time I looked!) Goes on about its bridal supplies but does loads more than that.

The Cheap Shop in Tiptree, Essex. It's at the back of a shop selling cards and stuff for making cushions but it has a huge fabric department and loads of haberdashery. But be warned, it closes between 1 and 2 for lunch every day.

btw - backing up what Annis says, Remnant Shop in Colchester is very good, and, as any fule kno, is staffed by several reenactors who seem to have a fairly strong influence on what they stock.

Noticed that you don't have any Scottish addresses. For those people up here in the 'wilds', the best, best place I have ever found for sewing/craft supplies, and anything else you might need for making anything, but had never realised you could actually get, is a little place called Letham Crafts. The owners are incredibly knowledgable, and if they don't stock something can usually find out where you can get it. I know it's going to be a bit out of the way for most folk, but bear it in mind if you're on holiday here. The home made goodies in the cafe are to die for as well!

Two places I know of...
One is in a wharehouse behind and semi underground, near the 'Padington Packet Boat' pub, near Uxbridge (NW of London) It is a bit of a pest to find but has a VAST range of fabrics and a good stock of Habadash, fittings, bits and bobs, buttons, patterns and so forth.